L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Technology Mascara

I'm probably a little late to the party on the whole two sided mascara - one to prime your lashes and the other to blacken them and add some intense volume. However after falling head over heels in love with the Lancome Cils Booster XL which is essentially just a white mascara that preps your lashes beautifully ready for a black mascara; I decided to try out an alternative to it considering it is rather expensive and all, so I looked no further than at the mothership that is L'Oreal which ironically own Lancome so I was hoping it would be a near dupe.

I picked up the L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara (£11.29) which is a two step mascara - a white base coat that acts as extensions for your lashes with it containing Ceramide R which contains naturally derived fibres whereas the black coat literally coats each lash with a intense colour wrap to darken them and to create the appearance of lash extensions. 

Now as much as I would love to say that this is a direct dupe for it's Lancome counterparts, it sadly really isn't as there is just one factor that lets it down which is the scent. I'm not sure about you but I like my mascaras to smell like mascaras however the white base coat of this instead smells very similar to nail glue and rather strongly too. Regardless of the off-putting scent, I cannot fault as to how well it performs especially when you spent the time to carefully apply the layers and build it up. I personally love to coat my lashes with the white base coat until they're literally white and have so much more volume than before and then using the black side to carefully cover up the whiteness, ensuring I coat every lash. Whilst it does give incredible volume and length, it doesn't quite resemble lash extensions as they are more often than not clumped together. In order to create lash extension looking lashes, I tend to go in with the No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara afterwards to define my lashes and separate them. By using a separate mascara afterwards, it helps to create the appearance of lash extensions that look full, defined with plenty of length and volume. Whilst it can be a little time consuming, the effects are definitely worth it so whilst I may not be repurchasing the Lancome version anytime soon, I can definitely see myself repurchasing it's L'Oreal counterparts time and time again.

New In || No7 Beautifully Defined Contour Kits

I love a strong contour just as much as the next person however it can be a little bit of a faff finding the perfect bronzer to contour with that isn't too muddy or too warm as well as a highlighter that compliments it beautifully. Luckily, I have quite the selection of both and I know which bronzer looks best with which highlighter although let's be honest in, the more highlighter the better! However there are sometimes when I just want to get my makeup done quickly without having to reach for two separate products so when No7 released their Beautifully Defined Contour Kits a few days ago, I instantly had to get both shades.

The No7 Beautifully Defined Contour Kit (£12.50) comes in two shades Light/Medium and Medium/Dark and both contain a highlighter and a bronzer. The Light/Medium is ideal for us pale beauties as the contour shade is a cool toned ashy brown that recreates the hollows in our cheeks without looking too muddy or warm whilst the highlighter is a yellow toned beige that contains no chunky shimmer or glitter that just looks natural on the tops of the cheeks. The highlighter can also double up as a setting powder for under the eyes as it brightens up the area whilst not highlighting the dark circles. The Medium/Dark is made for those who are slightly more tanned but that's not to say that you can't make it work for you! The bronzer is slightly warm toned and thus can look slightly muddy if you apply too much so a light hand is very much needed when applying. The highlighter itself is more of a champagne beige peach shade which could also be used as a setting powder for under the eyes if used very sparingly. Both kits features a brickwork almost cobblestone pattern that very much resembles a limited edition Bobbi Brown product from back in the day which had a very similar spray on. The kits are both finely milled with very little fallout that feels silky soft to the touch but apply ever so beautifully.

Whilst I have only had literally a few days to play with the kits since their launch, I've managed to make both shades work beautifully for me and I could definitely see them both being a staple in my makeup collection. I prefer using the bronzer in the Medium/Dark with an extremely light hand and just gently place it where I want to contour before blending it out with a very fluffy brush to avoid it looking too muddy. I then go in separately with the bronzer in the lighter kit to bronze up my forehead before applying it over where I contoured just to make the colour more intense but still blending it out as we go along. To set my under eye concealer, I do use the highlighter from the Light/Medium very sparingly whilst the highlighter in the darker kit is used to highlight the tops of my cheekbones. 

No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer

Long terms readers will know that I'm loyal to the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer and I use every single day, without fail. However being a beauty blogger, I'm always looking for new products to try out and make my makeup last that little bit longer so I decided to try out the No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer to see if it makes any difference to my makeups longevity.

The No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer (£16.50) helps magic away any visible signs of ageing by containing clever light diffusing particles that are designed to instantly make the skin look younger by putting fine lines, uneven skin tone and pores into soft focus. It contains hyaluronic acid moisture locking spheres that help to fill out the skin and thus creating the appearance of smoother looking skin.

Whilst I may not necessarily have visible signs of ageing skin, I do have a few fines around my under eyes and am willing to try absolutely anything to help reduce the appearance of them which is exactly what this primer has been doing. It's been filling out my under eye area to make it appear as if it's completely smooth however this is short lived as the minute you apply any foundation/concealer/powder, they reappear which is a real shame. With that being said, I do however find that it creates the perfect base for my foundation as it just applies a lot better and doesn't settle in any dry patches. I haven't noticed my makeup lasting any longer than usual as I do find that my makeup lasts a very long time what with doing a full shift at work and then perhaps an hour at the gym or so. I'm currently on my third tube of this so I guess it's fast making it's way to becoming one of my holy grail makeup products.

What is your favourite primer?

Products I've Hit Pan On

For those of you who aren't familiar with the terms "hitting pan on", it just basically means that you've used up so much of the product that you can visually see the pan/bottom of the packaging. These are one of my favourite posts to read as you can really tell when somebody loves a particular product and seeing as I do enjoy reading them so much, I thought I better share what products I use a regular basis!

The NARS Laguna Bronzer comes as no surprise as it's the only bronzer that I reach for to contour with. As you can see, I've hit pan quite a fair bit on this which just goes to show how often I reach for it! Seeing as this is one of my all time favourite bronzers, I cannot wait until I've used it all up and move onto my backup of it as there is no better feeling than swirling a brush in a new powder.

The Natural Collection Eyeshadow in Crushed Walnut is a hidden gem in the beauty world as it's the perfect eyebrow powder for those who have fairly dark brows. I use this with the ELF Concealer Brush as it's small enough to mimic hairs whilst covering a large enough sparse area. I've been using this for the best part of three years so a little definitely goes a long way!

I remember when everybody was going on about the NYC Sunny Bronzer and how I jumped on the bandwagon but couldn't understand the hype about it at first but I can see why. It's billed as one of the best bronzers for pale beauties without coming across as being too muddy or orange - so long as you use a very light hand! 

Lastly, I simply couldn't mention MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade as it's one of the best highlighters ever and is one that I'm forever recommending to everyone and their nan! It gives an instant highlight within one brush stroke which intensifies the more you apply.  

Benefit Gimme Brow Review

Eyebrows are the beauty world's marmite - you either love 'em or hate 'em. The days of having perfectly preened eyebrows are long gone and it's either go unruly or go home! I personally prefer going against everyone and the world by having them looking at least half decent without making them look too overdrawn/filled in. I used to fill them in with a powder whereas nowadays I strictly stick to two products - MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering and Benefit Gimme Brow.

I never thought I would say this but I simply cannot live without Benefit Gimme Brow (£18.50) as it truly has changed the way that I fill in my eyebrows. It's a brush-on fiber gel that adheres to the skin to create naturally thicker looking brows. The brush itself is tiny in size with a tapered edge that means that you can really work it into the brows, filling even the teenist of gaps without the worry of spreading too much product around the surrounding area. Unlike the more typical larger than life mascara spoolies that most brow gels feature, this fits my brow easily and I find that just a few coats is all that is needed to give the appearance of fuller looking brows.

It is essentially a light tinted gel that can be applied in layers repeatedly until you've achieved your desired look. It quite literally glides on with such ease and it dries quickly without looking overly crispy too. It's available in two shades; Light/Medium which is a light ash brown that is ideal for most dark blondes/light brunettes and Medium/Deep that is a cool toned medium brown that is suitable for most brunettes. I got matched up to Light/Medium which matches my brow colour perfectly which for tinted brow gels is practically unheard of! Whilst you are basically paying for a mascara specifically for your brows, I believe that it is most definitely worth it especially if you've got the lightest of brows or invisible eyebrows altogether where you struggle to make them look as natural as possible.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder 2015

There is only one collection that I look forward to being re-released every Summer; not because I buy every single product from it as that would both be ludicrous and expensive but because I get a weird thrill from seeing the same products being re-released again just like in previous years. That one collection is the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess which has got such a cult following that I can completely understand why everyone goes crazy for it each and every year. I personally didn't get on with the infamous fragrance at first but it was only when I smelt it on myself that I understood why everybody said that it's a holiday in a bottle and instantly rushed out to buy a bottle for myself. Fragrances aside, this year they've re-released the Bronze Goddess Highlighter which they've renamed this year as the Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee which I bought the very second I swatched it.

The Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee (£32) is one half highlighter and one half bronzer but all round one hell of a beaut! The beauty of this product is rather the formulation as it's a slick gel like powder that effortlessly glides onto the skin instantly creating a glowing sheen to the skin without shimmer or glitter particles included. It creates a natural lit from within glow that doesn't need anything more as it looks effortless by itself. The gel based powder is not only long wearing but cooling on the skin too, it doesn't settle into fine lines nor open pores, making one hell of a fuss free product.

Unlike other highlighters that I own, the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelee has a slight bronze tinge to it which instantly adds a little warmth to the skin which you can use as either a highlighter, bronzer or both. I personally wouldn't use it in place as a bronzer due to both the finish of the product as well as the shade however I would much rather pair it with the likes of say, NARS Laguna for an effortless sun kissed look without being too over the top. What I like the most of this product is no matter how much you apply, you can not over do it so I can often be found dusting this all over for a really radiant, lit from within look that no other highlighter can achieve. It may be one of the more expensive highlighters out there but I promise that you won't be disappointed!

Celebrate 80 Years with No7!

 Who would have thought that No7 have been around for 80 years now, eh?! To mark this special occasion, No7 have brought out a limited edition collection specially for their 80th Anniversary which I will talk more into depth on a seperate post as well as a free gift which is yours when buying any two cosmetics. Now I know that I say this about all their free gifts however you will want to get your hands on this particular one especially as it contains a voucher to get a free lipstick!

In true No7 style, they've included a teeny sample of their Intense Volume Mascara which has a traditional bristle brush to help create lush, defined lashes without skimping out on the volume! As with all No7 mascaras, you can build it up until you've reached your desired effect. Also included is a sample of the Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid which contains particles of iridescent shimmer which reflects the light to create a beautiful, radiant healthy glow. This is one of those multi use products that is handy to have as you can use it as both a highlighter, primer or even mixed in with your foundation.

Just like with all the previous gifts, they've thrown in an eyeshadow which is the bottom shade from the Stay Perfect Forest Fruits Trio which is a beautiful plum colour that is very glitter based which would finish off any intense smokey eye look. The last addition to the gift is one that makes this gift worth while to get as included is a voucher to receive a free No7 match made lipstick which is worth £9.95! You can either book your match made service to find out both your foundation colour and the perfect lipstick to go alongside it or you can just choose any lipstick that takes your fancy. Unforunately, this voucher is only limited to the Match Made Moisture Drench and Match Made Stay Perfect ranges so any of their heritage or sheer temptation shades are excluded altogether. 

 Will you be running out to get this awesome gift?

Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara

I've definitely become a bit of a hoarder when it comes to makeup as I seem to buy everything that I see on offer which immediately goes into my backup makeup drawer - yes, I've become one of those people! I have more than enough makeup to last me for many years just I cannot seem to resist buying more especially when there are new products launching all the time! One said launch that I'm rather late to the party on is the Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara which continues to be one of their more popular mascaras.

The Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara (£7.99) is a new and improved version of the original just with the added extra of it containing argan oil. Unlike the original, this helps the lashes feel conditioned and not weighed down - no matter how many coats you apply! Combined with the ultra flex brush that has ultra-soft bristles that literally hugs the lashes, defining them from root to tip to help create clump-free, fuller looking lashes.

I will admit that I was a little skeptical when it came to using this mascara partially because I do suffer with gaps which was caused by eyelash extensions and I've literally tried everything to help regrow my lashes. However I'm not entirely sure why I was skeptical of using this mascara as although it hasn't helped regrow my lashes completely, it has helped make my lashes look fuller with every use. When used by itself, it does define the lashes more than any other mascara however I much prefer to use it for the finishing coat as it truly defines the lashes to create the ultimate fanned out look without skimping out on the volume. I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad mascara for what it does but it just hasn't transformed my life as much as other mascaras have.

The New Obsession || Primer Water

Out of all of the wackiest things I've bought since I've starting blogging, I would have to say that the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (£20) has to be right up there with the Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist as essentially you're just paying for fragranced water however the Smashbox offering is a little more than your traditional water spray. 

It's a silicone/alcohol/oil-free spray that comes with a long list of claims including the use of revitalising electrolytes in the formula which in the instructions state that you can use it before makeup, after makeup to help set everything in place or as and when needed to help liven it up. Whilst it works for me best all three ways, it works for me better as a before makeup step as just a few quick spritz gives me a dewy look, right before I've even put anything on (and anything applied afterwards just adds to the dewy look!)

Unlike most water sprays where it mists out the right out amount, the spritz on this can be rather tempremental so you can be anyway from ready to walk out the door to sitting around for 10 minutes waiting for it all to sink in and wondering if it's best to just start all over again. I personally settle for somewhere in the middle - ready to walk out the door with moisture on the skin as quick fan of the old hands makes it sinks in a lot quicker. A lot of people have been saying that this is a dupe of MAC Fix+ and whilst the ingredients lists for both do read similar in some aspects, it is a fair comment to make as they do perform similar roles despite it costing more than the MAC offering..

To sum it all up, does using the Smashbox Primer Water before/after applying makeup make things last longer? I'm not entirely sure as it's one of those products that makes the whole applying makeup feel more yet it makes it all look more professional however in terms of making things looking fresh again, it certainly ticks all the boxes!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

I absolutely love dewy, highlighted skin and I will spend literally forever making my skin look as highlighted and glowy as possible. Despite having more than my fair share of highlighters, I just love buying new ones especially those that I have lusted after for ages. When I came back from America last year, I decided to splurge a bit on MAC and picked up the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade which has been billed across the blogging sphere as the highlighter to have.

The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade (£24) comes packaged in the typical MAC packaging which the product itself, MAC describes as being as a soft candlelit beige with multi-dimensional shimmer. Every product is baked individually so the beautiful multicoloured veining of peach, blue, lilac and pink is unique to each product with some having more veining than others. 

Unlike other highlighters that can be quite chunky or gritty in texture, Lightscapade has such a lovely, finely milled texture which glides onto the skin effortlessly without emphasing the pores. What I like the most about Lightscapade compared to all my other highlighters is that you can really build up it up for a more intense, highlighted look or just lightly sweep it over the cheeks for a more natural look. With it being such a beautiful shade, it's the ideal highlighter for us pale faced beauties without being too metallic or ashy. This is quite literally my holy grail highlighter as I use it on a daily basis, sweeping it all over my face to set my makeup whilst applying a little bit more on the tops of my cheeks to highlight the area. As I love this so much, I've bought a back up just in case I ever do run out of it which I highly doubt as I've only just made a dent in the baked dome.

No7 Instant Radiance Foundation

I love nothing more than a good foundation which promises to give a dewy/radiant finish whilst being medium coverage which can be built up. I've tried my fair share of foundations and whilst some have been absolutely brilliant such as the Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation and others being so so like the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation, I'm still holding out for the one. Recently, I've found myself reaching for the No7 Instant Radiance Foundation which might just be a foundation match in heaven!

The No7 Instant Radiance Foundation (£12.50) is a medium coverage foundation that promises to give a radiant boost to tired, stressed skin. It glides on to skin for coverage that not only brightens the complexion but reduces to appearance of imperfection and signs of fatigue. With energising ginger, it helps stimulate tired looking skin whilst the added enriching vitamin complex helps boost skin vitality. It also has soft violet pearls that helps transform dull, stressed skin into a healthy looking glow for a perfectly natural, lit from within finish.

I will hold my hand up high and admit that I have to use two different shades to mix together to achieve my perfect shade. This is purely because the No7 Matchmade Service claims that lighting doesn't alter the shade when I'm living proof that it does - I have to mix both Calico and Cool Vanilla in order to achieve my perfect shade that is neither too pale nor too dark. With that being said, I do find that the two mixed together does give me a radiant finish that no amount of highlighter can achieve! For the record, I suffer with dull skin that craves a radiant glow and the No7 Instant Radiance Foundation achieves just that. It covers up most of my imperfections and my dark circles without being cakey whilst giving that beautiful glow from within that we all crave. I find that one layer is more than enough to see me through the day although if I know that the day will be a busy one then I like to build it up before setting it all down. With this foundation, I can easily go atleast eight hours without needing to touch it up, sometimes even twelve hours if it hasn't been a busy day at work. Overall, I truly do love this foundation and I do believe that it has replaced my love for the Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation. It is truly one of the best drugstore foundations that I've tried which does exactly what it says on the packaging!

Estee Lauder Little Black Primer

I've always had naturally long lashes but that was until I discovered extensions and completely ruined my real lashes and discovered the hassle that short lash gal experience. I've tried various eyelash growth serums which I've had mixed results from - some have worked perfectly and some have had no effect whatsoever. In a bid to recreate my longer lash days, I've been resorting to a little black primer of mine..

The Estee Lauder Little Black Primer (£20) is essentially the little black dress but for your lashes than can be worn three different ways. On bare lashes, to tint them silky black and natural. As a primer, to amplify mascara's lash effects. As a top coat, to set with a water-resistant finish. 

My personal favourite method is as a primer; a few coats after curling my lashes before going in with my normal mascara to really amplify, define and lengthen my lashes. I find that this works best if you're working on a completely clean base with none of yesterdays leftovers still evident. I find that if used as a top coat after applying copious amounts of my normal mascara, it creates the clumped spidery effect that I always try to avoid and using it just as a macara by itself gives no where near enough length for my liking. There have been times when I've skipped this step to find that my lashes are not defined enough nor as long as when I have used it so albeit it being slightly gimmicky - it truly does work in my eyes.

My Favourite No7 Mascaras

I am a big mascara junkie and I love nothing more than trying out mascaras although I try to stick to having two open at any one time. Whenever I'm in the market for a new mascara, I look no further than No7 purely because I prefer their formulas over the likes of L'Oreal and Rimmel and they're forever handing out their infamous money off vouchers which make them even cheaper. As I've tried out almost every mascara that they do, I thought I would share my favourite mascaras from No7.

The No7 Midnight Lash Mascara (£13.50) is one of their more recent launches having only come out leading up to Christmas last year. It is one of their blackest mascaras which not only coats every lash but contains black pearl and sapphire to really dress the lashes. Unlike traditional bristle wands, this has a rather interesting shape with the wand being fatter in the middle and the bristles going in a diagonal shape. This particular mascara helps give lots of definition, length and volume whilst coating every lash. After several coats, you get beautifully long lashes which helps make the eyes appear larger which will be ideal if you have short lashes. As the formula is not waterproof, the slightest bit of moisture will smudge the lashes so ensure you stay well away from water or instead seal the lashes with a waterproof mascara.

I've already reviewed the No7 Stay Perfect Mascara (£12.95) but it is still one of my favourite mascaras to date and is one of No7 best selling mascaras! It has a plasic straight wand which can coat even the shortest of lashes transforming them completely into beautifully long, black lashes. This mascara is ideal for those wanting lots of volume and definition as it builds up the lashes within a few coats. Despite the formula not being waterproof, it does not budge at all! You can literally go running and still have perfect looking lashes which is a bold statement but is one that I'm sticking to as I've put it to the test. I personally prefer using this as a bottom lash mascara as it gently defines my bottom lashes whilst giving length.

The No7 Extreme Length Extend Mascara (£12.95) is the only mascara by No7 that I've used lots of samples of and is one mascara that I simply cannot live without! The wand is a traditional plastic wand which is slightly curved that allows you to coat every lash without smudging. Unlike other No7 mascaras, the formula is enriched with hollow shaped fibres that sticks to the lashes so you can easily build up the lashes to make them longer, more defined and just generally fanned out with intense volume. I personally prefer using this mascara in conjunction with other mascaras to really build up the length and truly define them and I find that using it that way, it sets my mascara so that it does not budge despite the formula not being waterproof.

My last favouite mascara is the No7 Lash Impact Mascara (£13.50) which is one of their more intense mascaras. This has a traditional bristle wand which helps get right into the base of the lashes and really build up the volume. Unlike other mascaras by No7, this particular one has a bold claim that it gives great volume in one coat and an amplified false lash effect in two coats without clumping which I will happily hold my hand up and say is false. It does give incredible volume and it can give an amplified false lash effect within quite a few coats - you have to really work with the mascara and build it up from the base to get the effect required. If it gave false lash effect lashes within two coats then the amount of time I spend applying mascara will be halfed - literally! Despite it's false bold claim, this is quite literally one of my most favourite mascaras by No7 as if I truly spend my time building up the length, I will achieve false lash effect lashes which last all day without clumps or flaking off. 

No7 Radiant Spheres Highlighter

My three main weaknesses when it's come to shopping for new makeup is makeup brushes, bronzers and highlighters. The latter being the one that I have a lot of already, all varying in different shades to formulas. Before Christmas, No7 came out with a limited edition highlighter and it was love at first swatch! 

The No7 Radiant Spheres Highlighter (£12) is a mix of three shades in one palette with an interesting sphere pattern to give a radiant, illuminated finish to the skin. For a more intense, shimmering finish you can simply sweep one of the three shades across the cheek and brow bones to finish any look.

I will put my hands up and say that I only started using this last month as I was a little afraid to use it on my pale complexion despite it being love at first swatch. However I don't know what I was afraid of as it is the most beautiful golden shimmer highlighter ever which I actually don't own in my collection until I cracked open this beauty. It gives the most radiant finish which I prefer to use on the tops of my cheekbones for an intense highlighted finish as I believe it would give a disco ball finish if used all over the face as a setting powder. I will admit and say that it is a little glittery for my liking but one sweep is all that is needed. Unforunately as this is limited edition, I don't believe you can buy this anymore however some No7 counters may have some still in stock.

Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminators

I'm a drugstore girl through and through as I much prefer getting more for money which is unheard of with high end items. With that being said, I haven't tried much from Revlon as I find their products to be a little overpriced although that hasn't stopped me lusting after a few things. For the longest time, I've been wanting to add some radiance to my base makeup and although my L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer does the trick nicely, it doesn't give that particular glow I craved so I decided to bite the bullet and purchase two of the Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminators whilst out in the States. 

The Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminators (£11.99) are a liquid highlight consistency that are packaged in a coloured squeezy tube based on the shade. They come in four different shades; Bare Light, Pink Light, Peach Light and Bronze and all claim to barnish dullness and even out skin with light-capturing crystals and photochromatic pigments.

I personally have the two lighter shades - Bare Light and Pink Light but out of the two, Pink Light is my most used. I tend to mix these in with my foundation, pouring an equal amount of foundation to an equal amount of the face illuminator onto a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge before applying it onto my face. I find that using a sponge makes it more natural looking as it helps blend it in more to give off a natural glow/lit from within. Although that might seem a little excessive, you could use it by itself as a highlighter or to help perk up the skin on days when you're not wearing makeup.Overall, these are a brilliant product to have in your stash and a little certainly goes a long way as with daily use, one tube can last a good six months.

My Winter Foundation Wardrobe

As the dark nights are getting closer and the need to wrap up warmer becoming ever more frequent, I've found myself rotating between a select few foundations recently which is unheard of, even for me. Now unlike most, I opt to mix my foundations together to achieve a better result which has resulted in falling back in love with foundations that I deemed an utter failure. As I can't see myself using anything else for the time being, I would like to introduce you to my winter foundation wardrobe.

The Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup ($14.99/£9.46 for 30ml) is my most recent addition and is one that you can only pick up in the US sadly. It is a pour style bottle which you don't run the risk of pouring out too much due to how thick the texture is as it's not quite a thick mousse and it's not quite liquid either - it's in the middle of the two. As it's quite thick, the coverage it gives is medium coverage which you can either mix in with your daily moisturiser to sheer it out slightly or layer it up to give fuller coverage. For reference, I use the shade Classic Ivory which is the lightest shade they do yet it's quite yellow toned but when mixed in with say Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation, it evens it out nicely. However when by itself, it can be a slight pain to blend and buff it all in nicely but a little elbow grease never hurts anybody. The finish of this can look quite natural if you don't apply too much however in most cases, it would leave the skin demi-matte with a bit of a glow. In terms of longevity, it lasts pretty much all day and that is without powder.

The Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (£29.50 for 30ml) is the only foundation that I don't use all year round and instead only dig it out when the winter months roll around. It's a pour style bottle which means that you do run the risk of pouring out too much due to how liquidy the foundation although apparently a MAC Pump will fix your foundation pouring woes apparently. Many people deem this to be the fullest coverage foundation they've encountered but I would personally say that this is inbetween both medium and full coverage which you can sheer/build it up depending on which you prefer. For reference, I use the shade 1W1 Bone which is very yellow toned but when blended out, it matches me almost perfectly. The texture of this means that you have to work quickly in order to buff it all in as I find that it sets rather quickly. The finish of this is quite matte but it somehow lets your skin show through without feeling heavy. I find that this lasts almost all day with minimal touch ups and that is using both a primer and a powder.

The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation (£34 for 35ml) is the only foundation that I have a love hate relationship with and has taken me the best part of a year to figure out if I love it or hate it since my inital review. As it's a squeezy tube, you can control how much you squeeze out which means that you won't necessarily waste it. I would deem this to be a full coverage foundation which unlike most, you really have to work at blending it all in due to the mousse like consistency. For reference, I use the shade Rose Ivory which matches perfectly when I first apply it but fast forward a few hours and it will have changed shade completely so this is something to consider when buying. The finish of this is quite glowy as it contains light-reflecting properties which helps add natural looking highlights to your face without looking overly greasy/discoball. I can easily go almost ten hours whilst wearing this foundation and that is with both powder and primer with minimal touchups.

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation (£9.99 for 30ml) is by far my most repurchased foundation of the lot as I'm currently on my third bottle. As the foundation itself is a pump dispenser, you only need a few pumps worth for the full face which makes it by far one of the more cost effective per use foundations. This is more on low to medium coverage which you can definitely build up to a fuller coverage if need be. As it's a liquid, it doesn't take a lot of elbow grease to blend it. For reference, I use the shade 51 Light Vanilla which matches me perfectly in some lights whereas in others it can be a little pale. The finish of this is rather dewy as it gives off the whole glow from within and creates a luminous base. I mainly use this foundation as my mixer and will mix it with other foundations as I love the finish it gives. I can get roughly seven hours wear from this foundation when worn alone with both primer and powder which is standard.

The last foundation featuring in my winter foundation wardrobe is the No7 Stay Perfect Foundation (£14.50 for 30ml) which is one that I least like out of the bunch but I still continue to use it. Just like with the Bourjois offering, the No7 version has a pump dispenser but comes enclosed in a glass bottle so it doesn't make it the most travel friendly foundation. This is more on the medium side of coverage but it can definitely be built up albeit it will look a little cakey especially after the second layer. I find that it blends in with ease although you do need to take extra care around the nose and eyes as it tends to settle in fine lines. For reference, I use the shade Calico which again can match me perfectly or appear too pale depending on the lighting. The finish of this is inbetween matte and radiant as it just makes your skin appear flawless but without the heaviness on the skin. It claims to last for up to 24 hours but who really wears foundation for that long, seriously. I find that it lasts about ten hours or so with primer and powder as well as minimal touchups on the cheeks and under the eyes mainly.

Which foundations will you be using this Winter?

Max Factor Colour Corrector CC Sticks

Recently, I've found myself feeling a little down when it comes to applying my makeup as my dark circles are becoming more noticeable which no amount of concealer will cover up as well as a tad of redness across my cheeks. No matter how much makeup I apply or how much sleep I get, I know that these won't cover up/go away entirely so I've recently found myself reaching for the Max Factor CC Sticks.

The Max Factor CC Sticks (£8.99 each) are a super creamy, blendable formula that are targeted to address specific skin issues that are available in six different shades - green to counteract redness; yellow to conceal dark circles; blue to get rid of dull looking skin and peach, pink and champagne to highlight any areas. Out of all six available, I've been reaching for just the three core colours - yellow, blue and green as I have more than enough highlighters to highlight my face.

For the record, I apply these CC sticks before my foundation just to help counteract any specific skin issues before masking them entirely with foundation. This is just to ensure that I have concealed them as best as possible and to achieve a flawless look. I tend to use the green shade first and it apply it across my cheeks, concentrating it mainly where any redness is and once blended it, any visible redness is gone entirely and instead, I have normal looking skin albeit with a slight green tone. With the yellow shade, I just apply it under my eyes in a triangular shape in a bid to highlight the area whilst concealing my dark circles. Whilst it doesn't conceal my dark circles entirely, it does do a pretty darn good job at it. With the blue shade, I tend to apply it mainly around my t-zone with a little more on my cheeks. I wouldn't necessarily say that this helps get rid of dull looking skin as it doesn't contain any light reflecting pigments to create a radiant base but it does make the skin look a little more awake. I will admit that these are not a must have beauty product to have as it does take a little while to apply and blend it all in but I do believe that they are worth it, especially if you're wanting a flawless finish.

Physcians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara

Out of all the brands that are available over in the states, one that I was most excited about getting my mitts on were Physicians Formula as they're a brand that aren't easy to get ahold of the UK, despite them soon launching here. I picked up quite an array of products and one that I was most excited about trying is their Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara which I've heard so much about. After trialling it for a few months, I thought I would finally share my two cents about it.

The Physicians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara ($9.99/£6.29) is one of those mascaras that the ingredients are 100% of a natural origin of which 70% are completely organic. It is 100% free from harsh chemicals, parabens, synethic colours, fragrances and preservatives all whilst being cruelty free and having a recylable brush. The mascara itself  claims to give a natural false lash effect due to it containing natural fibers that helps amplify lash volume, length and curl with no irritation.

I've been using this mascara for the best part of five months and I must say this it is one of the best mascaras I've tried. I will first admit that I haven't noticed it making my lashes dramatically longer than normal and on closer inspection, I can't see any fibers at all which makes me question the mascaras claim. However what I have noticed is that this mascara works better combined with another mascara like the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara for example. When used by itself, it gives the lashes both volume and length but it doesn't necessarily curl them unless you've used eyelash curlers beforehand. When used with another mascara, it gives dramatic length and volume. The brush itself is a plastic wand which may not be to your liking if you prefer traditional mascara wands but the wand is where the magic lays, as it helps give your lashes a real boost in the volume stakes. It gets right into your lashes and helps lift them which it turn gives the appearance of false lashes. I can get about seven hours wearing time before it starts to flake off slightly which is how long I wear my makeup for roughly anyway.

I'm hoping that when Physicans Formula do eventually launch properly here in the UK, that this mascara is included in their lineup as I expect that many people will be wanting to get their mitts on it as it truly is a brilliant mascara and I regret not picking up more of it.

MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering

If you were to ask a beauty blogger why they're late to something, I can guarantee that it will be one of two things; either struggling to perfect winged liner or making their eyebrows look somewhat reasonable. I've never truly bothered to fill in my eyebrows until I discovered that they were looking a little sparse so I've been trying out products to help make my eyebrows somewhat fuller. One product that I've recently repurchased is the MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering which albeit is very expensive for how little product you get but it's one product that I seriously cannot live without.

The MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering (£13.50) is essentially a self-propelling, selfsharpening, brow defining pencil that adds shape, colour and density all into one streamlined pencil shaped tool. The colour itself sits inbetween both a light and medium-ish brown which when used lightly, can define your brows completely but when used heavily, can fill in even the most sparse of gaps.

I purchased my first one of these back in June and didn't finish it completely until early October which for the amount you're getting and how often I used it, is money well spent in my eyes. I use this primarily to shape and define the very start of my eyebrows and to fill in the ends although when in rush, I will use this to completely fill in my eyebrows as the tip of this is so fine, it mimics hair perfectly. I'm pretty sure that there are better alternatives out there which last a lot longer but for the time being, I'm happy using MAC's Lingering.

L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara

Whilst out in America, one thing that I stocked up on apart from eos lip balms are mascaras as they work out far more cheaper out there than what we pay here in the UK. With that being said, sometimes the US version has different packaging/different name altogether which is definitely the case with this as whilst it may be called the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara in the US, in the UK it's known as the L'Oreal False Lash Flutter Mascara.

The L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara ($7.97/£10.99) is one of those mascaras that everybody was talking about when it was released back in the summer due to its unique double winged butterfly brush that gave the false lash effect without clumping your eyelashes. 

I'm almost coming up to the six month mark with this mascara which means that I will need to throw it out very soon although I'm not sure if I can as I am literally in love with this mascara. Due to its unique design of the brush, you can really extend your lashes and give it plenty of volume without any clumps. I like to use the different angles of the brush to get the full effect - using the longer butterfly edge to give length whilst using the sides to add definition which altogether gives a great impact. I have the normal formula which although its great, I have noticed that it can smudge slightly and wear off after a few hours wear so I think I will repurchase it in the waterproof formula once I've gone through a few more mascaras. If you're looking for a mascara that packs a punch then I urge you to try the L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara as you won't regret it!